Plains Indian Policies in the late 1800’s How did American “ethnocentrism” influence the treatment of the Plains Indians?
“Ethnocentrism” Definition: A belief in the inherent superiority of your own ethnic group or culture. A tendency to judge other groups or cultures from your perspective only.
Plains Indians & American Lifestyles Clash Nomadic vs. Land owning Communal vs. Individual
Treaties & Reservations were supposed to “solve” Natives vs. Americans conflict
Examples of Plains Indian Resistance: Sitting Bull Crazy Horse Geronimo Chief Joseph
"If the Great Spirit had desired me to be a white man he would have made me so in the first place. He put in your heart certain wishes and plans; in my heart he put other and different desires. Each man is good in the sight of the Great Spirit. It is not necessary, that eagles should be crows." ..Sitting Bull DVD Clip: Dances With Wolves buffalo hunt scene
Attempted Escape Route of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce
George Custer and the “Last Stand at Little Bighorn” 1876
In what way does this political cartoon about Indian/American relations in late 1800’s demonstrate ethnocentrism?
Carlisle Indian School Assimilation Policies Designed to “Fix” Indians Examples: Carlisle Indian School Dawes Act
Alice Fletcher with Chief Joseph in Idaho Wounded Knee, South Dakota “The West” Video Clips Alice Fletcher with Chief Joseph in Idaho Ghost Dancers at Wounded Knee, South Dakota Episode 8 (Disc 5 of DVD set): 9:46-17:00 Dawes Act & Alice Fletcher 24:00-41:30 Ghost Dance & Wounded Knee Amazon Library Netflix
The 1889 Oklahoma Land Run, or Rush, began at noon on April 22nd After the tribes were forced under the Dawes Act (1887) to accept individual plots of land, areas taken from tribal lands, originally guaranteed by treaty, were offered for sale to white settlers
Hidden America: Children of the Plains (6 min.)
Plains Indian Policies in the late 1800’s How did American “ethnocentrism” influence the treatment of the Plains Indians? Consider/Mention some of the following in your response: American vs. Indian Lifestyles, Reservation Policies, Treaties & Military Conflicts w/ Indians, Dawes Act, Indian Boarding Schools, Alice Fletcher (“Measuring Woman”), Massacre at Wounded Knee